Carlsbad or "Village by
the Sea," is 48 square miles of rolling hills with seven
miles of scenic coastline enjoyed by residents and
guests who come to play. Located 35 miles north of San
Diego and 86 miles south of Los Angeles in San Diego
County, it is easily accessible from either city and
well worth a drive up or down the coast to see. Old
world charm co-exists with modern day pleasure in a city
where the oldest building in town dates back to 1887 and
the newest Legoland amusement park has been around just
a few short years.

Carlsbad is named for the
popular 19th century Karlsbad Spa in Europe. When sea
captain, John Frazier, drilled a well and struck water
in the 1880s, it appeared to have the same mineral
properties as water in Karlsbad, Bohemia. Continuing a
proud tradition for which the city was named, Carlsbad
is home to two world class spa resorts: La Costa Resort
& Spa and Four Seasons Resort, Aviara.

This charming city by the sea attracts guests from
around the world and is also flower friendly as a
premier growing region for poinsettias and ranunculus.
Beginning in March and running for several months,
flower lovers are abuzz at the arrival of spring which
brings an endless sea of colors to local fields. People
come from near and far and pay a small fee to get a
glimpse of nature's perfect beauty. The bird of paradise
got its start here and is the city's official flower.

Legoland theme park, Carlsbad flower fields, a downtown
shopping village with a European flavor, a shopping mall
and family oriented vacation beaches are a few of the
things you can do and see when you visit. There is also
jetskiing, parasailing and sky diving for additional
thrills.

If golf is your bag, there's Aviara, an 18-hole public
course, Rancho Carlsbad, a public 18-hole executive
course and Encinitas Ranch, 18-hole public course.
LaCosta Resort offers two 18-hole courses open to hotel
guests and Shadowridge/ Vista features an 18-hole
private course as does Vista Valley Country Club.

Easily accessible by car, train, bus or plane, travelers
can rest assured they are in a safe community where you
can sleep soundly knowing that the location has no
earthquake fault zone. (A fault zone is a region with a
higher incidence or likelihood of earthquake activity).
This is just one of the many features of a vacation in a
the hospitable place which welcomes travelers and treats
them well.